Air intake protection device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and systems for an air intake protection device includes a frame with a top portion, a bottom portion, a right side portion, and a left side portion, forming an opening therein, and a protective covering positioned within the opening. A hinge may be engaged to one or more of the top portion, bottom portion, right side portion, and left side portion of the frame for hingedly engaging the air intake protection device to an air handing unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/304,521, filed on Mar. 7, 2016, and entitled “HAIL GUARD DEVICE,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for preventing damage to an air handling unit and more generally relates to a device that prevents damage to the air intake of an air handling unit, such as: HVAC packaged and split systems and variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air handling units regulate and circulate air as part of an HVAC system. The air handler is generally a large metal box containing a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, dampers, and an intake opening containing coils. The air handling unit is generally positioned outdoors, and therefore, susceptible to damage from outdoor elements, such as hail. When hail hits the coils at the air intake and prevents the coils from functioning correctly, but also makes for an unsightly aesthetic appearance. There is a need for a device to protect the coils at the air intake that provides easy access to the coils, while at the same time, protecting the coils from damage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air intake protection device includes a frame with a top portion, a bottom portion, a right side portion, and a left side portion, forming an opening therein, and a protective opening positioned within the opening.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device includes a hinge disposed on at least one of the top portion, the bottom portion, the right side portion, and the left side portion of the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device is composed of aluminum.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device includes a locking mechanism.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device includes foam tape positioned on the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device includes a central frame member having a first end and a second end, the first end is disposed along the left side portion and the second end is disposed along the right side portion, wherein the central frame member spans between the left side portion and right side portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device includes a handle positioned on the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air intake protection device includes a first flange extending outwardly from the top portion and a second flange extending outwardly from the bottom portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an air intake device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit that includes a frame with a top portion, a bottom portion, a right side portion, and a left side portion, forming an opening therein. A protective covering is disposed within the opening, and at least one hinge hingedly connects the device to an air handling unit.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an air intake device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit that includes a locking mechanism for selectively securing the device to the air handling unit.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a hail guard device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit wherein the air handling unit is a HVAC packaged or split system or VRV system.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an air handling unit that includes a housing with an opening, an air intake positioned within the opening of the housing, and an air intake protection device engaged to the housing and positioned over the air intake.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention in use;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the present invention in use;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the present invention in use; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention in use;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an air intake protection device is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is shown generally at reference numeral 10. The air intake protection device 10 includes a frame 12 with a protective covering 14 disposed within the frame 12. The protective covering 14 may contain a plurality of holes or openings for allowing air to freely flow through the protective covering 14. The protective covering 14 may also be a screen or similar structure. The frame 12 consists of a top portion 16, a bottom portion 18, a left side portion 20, and a right side portion 22. The outer peripheral edge of the protective covering 14 is engaged to the respective top portion 16, a bottom portion 18, a left side portion 20, and a right side portion 22 of the frame 12.

As illustrated in the FIGS. 1-7, the left side portion 20 and right side portion 22 of the frame 12 contain an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is engaged to the protective covering and the lower portion extends from the upper portion at about a 90 degree angle. The top portion 16 and bottom portion 18 of the frame 12 also consist of an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is engaged to the protective covering and the lower portion extends from the upper portion at a 90 degree angle. A flange 24 extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of the top portion 16 and bottom portion 18. As illustrated, the flange 24 extends upwardly at about a 90 degree angle from the end of the lower portion of the top portion 16 and/or bottom portion 18. Each side portion (16, 18, 20, and 22) is oriented in the horizontal or vertical direction when the device 10 is in use. The top portion 16 and bottom portion 18, as shown in the figures, are oriented in the horizontal direction. The left side portion 20 and right side portion 22 are oriented in the vertical direction, as illustrated. Each of the side portions (16, 18, 20, and 22) have a first end, a second end, an exterior side, and an interior side. The ends of the side portions are engaged to the ends of the adjacent side portions.

The top portion 16 contains a first end and a second end, the bottom portion contains a first end and a second end, the right side portion contains a first end and a second end, and the left side portion contains a first end and a second end. The first end of the top portion is engaged to the first end of the right side portion 22. The second end of the right side portion 22 is engaged to the first end of the bottom portion 18. The second end of the bottom portion 18 is engaged to the first end of the left side portion 20.

The second end of the left side portion 20 is engaged to the second end of the top portion 16. As illustrated, the protective covering 14 is engaged to the interior side of the upper portion of the top portion 16, bottom portion 18, left side portion 20, and right side portion 22. The protective covering 14 may be engaged to the top portion 16, bottom portion 18, left side portion 20, and right side portion 22 by an adhesive or mechanical means. Mechanical means can mean a screw, nut and bolt, rivet or the like. The top portion 16, bottom portion 18, left side portion 20, and right side portion 22 may be engaged to each other by an adhesive or mechanical means. Mechanical means can mean a screw, nut and bolt, rivet or the like.

Optionally, a central frame member 26 may be disposed between the left side portion 20 and right side portion 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the central frame member 26 is positioned centrally along the left side portion 20 and right side portion 22. The central frame member 26 provides stability and support to the frame 12.

A retention device 28 may be engaged to a side portion (16, 18, 20, and 22) for engaging the side portion (16, 18, 20, and 22) to a structure, such as an air handling unit 30. The retention device 28 is preferably a hinge 32 for hingedly engaging a side portion (16, 18, 20 and 22) to the air handling unit 30, such that the device 10, and in particular the protective covering 14, is positioned over the air intake of the air handling unit 30. The hinge 32 may include a biasing element, such as a spring, for providing a level of resistance when the device 10 is rotated away from the air handling unit 30 and assisting with keeping the device 10 in contact with the air handling unit 30 and not allowing the device 10 to move during heavy winds. Alternatively, a damper or biasing element may be engaged to the device 10 and air handling unit 30. In another alternative embodiment, the retention device 28 may be a locking mechanism positioned on a side portion (16, 18, 20, and 22) that does not contain the hinge 17 that corresponds to a locking mechanism engaged to the air handling unit 30 for selectively securing the device 10 to the air handling unit 30.

The holes in the protective covering 14 may have any shape and size as desired by a user. The device 10 may be composed of any material as desired by a user. For example, the device may be composed of steel, aluminum, plastic, plastic composite, or the combination thereof. Foam or foam tape 34 may be disposed on the frame 12 for sound absorption. For example, foam or foam tape 34 may be disposed on the interior side of the lower portion of the top portion 16, the interior side of the lower portion of the left side portion 20, the interior side of the lower portion of the right side portion 22, and the interior side of the bottom portion 18. The foam tape 34 is positioned between the exterior surface of the air handling unit 30 and the frame 12.

The air handling unit 30 may be any HVAC system. The HVAC system may be a variable refrigerant volume (VRV) system having a shared outdoor heat exchanger and a plurality of individual air handler units. In alternate forms of the invention, the HVAC system can take the form of a variable air volume (VAV), constant air volume (CAV), variable refrigerant flow (VRF) or other forms of heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

In typical fashion, the shared outdoor heat exchanger comprises a housing containing a condenser coil, air intake, compressor, and fan; the individual air handler units each comprise a fan, expansion valve, heating/cooling coil(s), air intake, a filter; and refrigerant lines connect the shared outdoor heat exchanger to the individual air handler units. Return air from the conditioned space and/or fresh air from an exterior space is treated and delivered to a conditioned air space via the individual air handler units. The outdoor heat exchanger discharges waste heat from the conditioned air space to the ambient surroundings, and/or transfers heat from a cooled zone to a heated zone. The air intake is positioned within an opening of the housing. The air intake protection device 10 is engaged to the housing such that the air intake protection device 10 is positioned over the air intake. As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, two air intake protection devices 10, 10′ may be disposed on either side of the housing and adjacent the opening, allowing the air intake protection devices 10, 10′ to cover the air intake.

During use, the device 10 is hingedly engaged to the exterior of the individual air handler units, such that the protective covering 14 of the device 10 is adjacent the air intake and not obstructing the flow of air into the air intake. The device 10 is designed such that the frame 12 is adjacent the exterior of the air intake with the screen adjacent and spaced-apart from the air intake. The protective covering 14 of the device 10 protects the coils of the air intake from damage during a hail storm. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, two air intake protection devices 10 may be used to cover a single air intake of the air handling unit 30. In this embodiment, the hinge 32 or retention device is disposed on opposite sides of the frame 12, so that the devices 10 open in opposite directions. As illustrated, the hinge 32 is disposed on the right side portion 22 of the first air intake protection device 10 and the hinge 32 is disposed on the left side portion 20 of the second air intake protective device 10′.

Additionally, the side portions (16, 18, 20, and 22) of the frame 12 may extend over each other. For example, the first end of the top portion 16 may extend over or fold over the first end of the right side portion 22. The second end of the top portion 16 may extend over or fold over the second end of the left side portion 20. The first end of the bottom portion 18 may extend over or fold over the second end of the right side portion 22. The second end of the bottom portion 18 may extend over or fold over the first end of the left side portion 20.

A locking mechanism 34 may be engaged to a side portion (16, 18, 20, or 22) for securing the frame 12 to the air handling unit 30. The locking mechanism 34 is preferably positioned on the opposing side portion than the side portion containing the hinge 32 or retention device 28. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the hinge 32 is engaged to the right side portion 22 of the first frame 12 and the locking mechanism 34 is engaged to the left side portion 20. A handle 36 may be positioned on the device 10 to allow ease of opening.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air intake protection device, comprising: a frame with a top portion, bottom portion, right side portion, and left side portion, forming an opening therein; a protective covering disposed within opening; wherein the frame is engaged to an air handling unit.
 2. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge disposed on at least one of the top portion, bottom portion, right side portion, and left side portion for hingedly engaging the device to an air handling unit.
 3. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, wherein the device is composed of aluminum.
 4. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism.
 5. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, further comprising foam tape positioned on the frame.
 6. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a central frame member having a first end and a second end, the first end is disposed along the left side portion and the second end is disposed along the right side portion, wherein the central frame member spans between the left side portion and right side portion.
 7. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a handle positioned on the frame.
 8. The air intake protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a first flange extending outwardly from the top portion and a second flange extending outwardly from the bottom portion.
 9. An air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit, comprising: a frame with a top portion, bottom portion, right side portion, and left side portion, forming an opening therein; a screen disposed within opening; and at least one hinge for hingedly connecting the device to an air handling unit.
 10. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively securing device to the air handling unit.
 11. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, wherein the air handling system is a VRV system.
 12. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, further comprising a hinge disposed on at least one of the top portion, bottom portion, right side portion, and left side portion for hingedly engaging the device to an air handling unit.
 13. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, wherein the device is composed of aluminum.
 14. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, further comprising foam tape positioned on the frame.
 15. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, further comprising a central frame member having a first end and a second end, the first end is disposed along the left side portion and the second end is disposed along the right side portion, wherein the central frame member spans between the left side portion and right side portion.
 16. The air intake protection device for protecting the air intake coils of an air handling unit according to claim 9, further comprising a handle positioned on the frame.
 17. An air handling unit, comprising: a housing with an opening; an air intake positioned within the opening of the housing; and an air intake protection device engaged to the housing and positioned over the air intake.
 18. The air handling unit according to claim 17, wherein the air intake protection device comprises a frame with a top portion, bottom portion, right side portion, and left side portion, forming an opening therein, and a protective covering disposed within opening.
 19. The air handling unit according to claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism disposed on the air intake protection device.
 20. The air handling unit according to claim 17, further comprising foam positioned on the air intake protection device. 